Mrs. Elaine Mae Herde Wolf

Elaine Mae Herde Wolf, known as Granny, e-Granny or Lady Elaine, passed away 'peacefully' on February 7, 2025, at the age of 93. Elaine lived with her high school sweetheart and husband of 72 years, at Rice Estates, a Retirement Community in Columbia, South Carolina. She loved getting together, from celebratory meals with family and friends to staying connected on social media with the kids and grandkids. For a petite lady she had an exuberant competitive spirit and most recently, won the “dress-up your door for the holidays” Contest. Elaine was born on December 1, 1931, in Watertown, WI, the second child of the late William and Stella Herde (nee Schneider). She was preceded in death by her three siblings, Dorothy Roe, Joanne Hash, and Edward “Eddie.” Elaine spent 41 years in Jefferson, Wisconsin, where highlights included time with her coffee klatch, their Euchre Card Club, and the legendary, Friday Fish Fries! Elaine and family, including their trusty dog, Toby, followed Jack through several career relocations. Each move resulted in “leaving behind” a college-bound kid(s) in Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Tennessee. Eventually, they settled down in Tarboro, North Carolina, where they lived for 42 years. Elaine was an active homemaker and fabulously skilled tailor making costumes, tea cozies, and even, “dressing dolls” for a good cause. She was known to mock-up sample jackets and hats to showcase Glenoit Faux Fur for her husband’s key customers. Her handiwork once graced the cover of the Spiegel Catalogue. While Elaine loved her chocolates, soap operas, and cocktail hours, she was NOT “all play and NO work.” She was an active member of Tarboro's Pilot Club serving a time as President. She was a proactive member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, and became a very close friend of Sister Mary Ann Czaja, Executive Director of the Tarboro Community Outreach – Shelter and Pantry. In her mid-seventies, in recognition of her countless hours and contributions to Outreach, Elaine was awarded the Governor of North Carolina’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service – Elaine was one of the oldest awardees! Elaine was a lifelong learner, enrolling in and mastering computer classes at Edgecombe County Community College (ECCC). She embraced online shopping and bill paying, creating an e-family tree, and communicating via FaceBook & Instagram. In her 80’s, she was ready, willing, and able to call the helpline and dog-down computer glitches until solved/resolved. In 2019, Jack and Elaine, at age 87 were saddened to have to leave their beloved Tarboro home. That said, there was a silver lining. It turned out to be both a blessing and a joy to be so much closer to family, especially their daughter Wendy. While Wendy and Julie made quick work of decorating the new apartment, Elaine made quick work of making new friends, joining on-site activities from lectures and musical performances to arts & crafts and exercise classes, as well as going off-site to museums, restaurants, and parks. And, after all those years of cooking, she was happy to socialize over prepared meals, twice daily. Up until her health setback on Christmas Day 2024, Elaine was living independently. Even though her body was failing, her mind was sharp! During her final days she was in a private room at Rice Estate’s Arbor Way where a steady stream of family and facetime phone calls, with sound-cancelling headphones, filled her days to overflowing. Elaine is survived by her husband, John Paul “Jack” Wolf, Columbia, SC; 6 children: Jon (Michelle) of Lake Mills, WI, Joel (Joelle) of Cupertino, CA, Wesley (Katie) of Ambler, PA, Wendy (Tim Coffey) of Blythewood, SC, Julie (Jack Allen) of Cumming, GA, and Wade of Virginia Beach, VA; 12 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Elaine will be missed by one and all! A Memorial Service in celebration of a life well-lived will be held for family, friends, and staff at Rice Estates on Saturday, March 15th at 2:00 PM. The Service shall be in the Multi-Purpose Room on the 2nd Floor of the Rice Estates Independent Living building at 100 Finley Rd, Columbia, SC. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elaine Mae Herde Wolf can be made: 1) By check to: Tarboro Community Outreach, 701 Cedar Lane, Tarboro, NC 27886 Attn: Sr. Mary Ann Czaja, or 2) Online to: Lutheran Hospice (Midlands) donate through Lutheran Homes of South Carolina Foundation (https://www.lutheranhomesscfoundation.org/).

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Mrs. Elaine Mae Herde Wolf

December 1, 1931 - February 7, 2025